Chapter 9

The princess’s birthday festival was a sight to behold.

No expense had been spared to honor her seventeenth birthday. Priceless magic lanterns hung from every column of the ballroom, creating an enchanting atmosphere, and the tables were laden with exotic delicacies prepared by the most skilled chefs in the empire.

The blooms that lavishly decorated the room had been specially grown solely for the occasion, and the exquisitely dressed guests were knocking back rare vintage wine as if it were water. And yet, Blaine Canterbury, who stood in the center of the room, wasn’t exactly having the time of his life.

This party is really boring. The food and wine were the best quality, of course, but for a red-blooded young man in his prime, the only gathering worth having was one where he could meet clusters of beautiful women. Although Blaine was not a member of the high aristocracy, he was a well-regarded member of the imperial knights and a popular member of society due to his good looks and silver tongue. There were indeed hordes of ladies around him, and he should have been excited, but... Why are they all wearing the same thing?

Even their hair and the way their faces were painted were all extremely similar. Although they smiled and fanned their lashes at him, he found the sight so comical that it was hard to take any of them seriously. This is most definitely for the sole enjoyment of the princess.

A party that took no notice of the enjoyment of its guests was little more than a boastful celebration of oneself, and he preferred to sit alone and drink copious amounts of wine rather than join the flatterers who circled around her. Thus, the next few hours were spent sitting and drinking by the wall.

“It’s time for the dances to start,” said Count Chaplin, who suddenly appeared next to him.

“Yes, all right,” said Blaine, looking disinterested.

“I believe it’s time for the gentlemen to request the honor of a dance...”

The dances at their gatherings always started with the host accepting the invitation of one of their most eligible guests.

“As it is Her Highness’s birthday, she wishes to be honored by a dance from the one she admires most,” continued Count Chaplin.

The princess was no doubt the center of attention, and she expected, along with everyone else, Ryan to ask her for a dance.

“Of course,” said Blaine.

Count Chaplin, however, continued to stand there as if waiting for something. Blaine looked at him with a confused expression, until the count begrudgingly spoke again. “Where, uh, might he be?” he asked, looking around.

It was considered impolite to inquire about another person’s whereabouts directly, and so the count had done his best to be delicate. However, Blaine was used to this and was not bothered—Ryan, after all, had a habit of briefly showing his face at a party and then speedily hiding away.

“I don’t know,” said Blaine.

“Has he... left for a moment?”

“Perhaps,” said Blaine, shrugging. “I have yet to see him tonight.”

Count Chaplin’s genial expression vanished instantly, and as he rushed away, Blaine had the queer feeling that something was not quite right.

What was that about? Has Ryan truly not come to this party? Blaine hadn’t seen Ryan, but he’d assumed that he was somewhere within this vast ballroom, trapped in a corner by his father until it became time to trot him out before the princess. But if he wasn’t here... Then where in the world was he?

His brow furrowed as he thought back to the conversation he’d had with Ryan several days ago. His jaw dropped at a sudden thought. There’s no way...

No... No matter how strange Ryan acted at times, he wouldn’t have... Still, Blaine felt anxious and he decided to follow behind Count Chaplin. The count left the ballroom and hurried out to a quiet hall, and Blaine saw him approach a group of about six men and speak urgently with them.

From the group, Blaine could hear Duke Calabria’s startled voice.

“Ryan hasn’t come?!”

The duke, who was almost as taciturn as his son, had turned pale. He spotted Blaine down the hall then and motioned him forward.

“What happened?” he barked as Blaine drew close. “Where’s Ryan? Why isn’t he here?”

“I’ve already informed the count of this, but I’m not aware of his whereabouts,” answered Blaine forthrightly. “We did not make particular plans to meet at tonight’s gathering, although I had assumed it would happen naturally...”

Blaine had hardly finished speaking when the duke whirled around and shouted at his men.

“He must be squirreled away alone in his room! Drag him here immediately before the princess finds out he isn’t here!”

Judging by their attire, the other men were the duke’s personal guard, and they quickly departed with their order.

Count Chaplin asked worriedly, “Will they be able to find him?”

“They should,” said the duke, looking anxious. “The boy never leaves the estate unless it’s time for training.”

Duke Calabria glanced back at Blaine. If Ryan wasn’t in the palace training grounds or at the estate, then Blaine’s home was the only other place he would be.

Thankfully, Blaine was here, which meant that Ryan must be somewhere at home. Blaine decided to keep quiet and wait to see what happened. However, the duke’s hopes were shattered as his men returned swiftly without his son in tow.

“We searched every room on the estate, but he was not present.”

“What?!”

“The servants let us know he departed sometime earlier in the evening. He was wearing his new, formal suit, so the maids all believed he was headed for the palace ball...”

The duke’s face flushed a deep red. “Where on earth could he have gone in his new suit?!”

“Do you think he’s been kidnapped?” said Count Chaplin anxiously, but the duke and Blaine exchanged skeptical looks.

“Who would dare kidnap such a monster?” muttered the duke, huffing with frustration.

Not only did he always keep his sword on his person, but Ryan was the foremost knight in the empire and was constantly vigilant of everything around him. It was nigh impossible that he would have been kidnapped, especially in the middle of the bustling city center. At the very least, he would have fought until the end and left an enormous wreckage behind.

“He must be somewhere nearby,” said one of the guards, and the duke nodded curtly.

“Search every inch of the palace!” he ordered, and the men scattered.

Unfortunately, none of them were able to locate Ryan. Seeing the utter chaos unfolding around him, Blaine was unable to keep quiet any longer.

“My lord...”

Duke Calabria frowned as he whirled toward him.

“I, uh, may know where Ryan is.”

“What?” snapped the duke. “Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

“Well...” Blaine said, fidgeting, “It’s such an unreasonable possibility that I, ahem, didn’t really think he could possibly be there...”

A few days ago, Ryan had specifically asked him for the full list of parties that Baroness Eleanor Mariche had been invited to, and which she was most likely to attend. Blaine had thought that perhaps the inquiry was somehow related to his duties. As soon as he’d found out that she was planning to attend the party at the Novastein estate tonight, he’d sent word along to Ryan.

The duke scowled again, his eyes growing fierce. “What sort of duty could be related to that?” he barked. “Why would he go where that woman is?”

“Perhaps we can ask him later, my lord, but I believe it is more important for us to go now.” Count Chaplin looked extremely anxious, and the duke realized then that he didn’t have a moment to waste.

“Go immediately to the Novastein estate and find out if Ryan is there!” he bellowed.

“And what shall we do if the count is in attendance?” asked one of his men.

“Bring him here. Instantly! If he refuses, use any force you need to drag him back!”

The guards looked unconvinced that they’d be able to force the greatest knight in the empire to do anything, but bowed and hurried away.

“I shall go with them,” said Blaine.

He didn’t particularly care if his friend danced with the princess on her special night or not, but he was sure that a much more interesting line of events was awaiting him at the marchioness’s gathering.

“Fine,” said the duke. “Tell him that the princess is waiting, and do whatever it takes to get him here.”

Blaine nodded and left with the rest of the guards.

* * *

Eleanor gulped.

He must be here for some other business. He might have been invited, after all, and decided to attend on a whim. Perhaps he’s distantly related to the marchioness?

Eleanor tried to be hopeful that it had nothing to do with her. Meanwhile, Ryan scanned the room, appearing to be looking for someone. Suddenly, their gazes met across the floor and he locked eyes with her.

He promptly began striding forward and the guests dashed out of his way, making a clear path for him. The ladies behind her began to shriek with excitement, and Eleanor stared, dazed, as he approached closer... and closer...

He looked as if he’d come from another planet, so brilliant was he to behold. Even in casual clothing, he was a force to be reckoned with. And now, in this formal suit that was cut impeccably to frame his figure... It nearly hurt her eyes to look at him.

Every person in the room stared at the count as if caught in a trance, and the room was dead silent. Finally, the duke stood in front of her. Her breath caught in her throat.

“Eleanor,” he said, his deep voice ringing through the tensely hushed room, “Would you dance with me?”

She wasn’t supposed to be his partner for a dance tonight... She felt her vision start to blur, this unexpected turn of events filling her mind with a blank sense of shock.

How was she to handle this? Every person in the room was gaping at her, not bothering to hide their astonishment. If she rejected his invitation, it would cause even greater commotion, but she couldn’t possibly dance with him.

“I... I’m not feeling well...” she said instead, and stood up from her chair with a strained smile. “Would... Would you care to step outside, for a quick word?”

She tried to speak as casually as she could and turned before she could hear the count’s affirmative reply. She walked out of the room, striding through open doors that led outside, while her head buzzed with countless questions. Why is he here? What about the princess?

Finally, when they were in a quiet part of the gardens, alone, she whirled around to face him.

“Why are you here, and at this hour?” she demanded.

Ryan appeared to think carefully about her question, then replied, “It took me some time to figure out which party you would attend. My apologies for being late.”

She most certainly was not asking why he was late!

“I’m asking why you’re here,” she said sharply. “You should be attending the palace ball!”

He gazed at her calmly. “I am merely attending the party I wish to attend.”

He wished to attend this party? A party that would be decidedly shabby compared to the extravagant palace celebration? A sedate party that even she found a little boring?

“Did you... come because you learned that I’d be here?” she asked, hoping against hope.

“Of course,” he said immediately.

Eleanor flushed.

“How do you even know who I am?” she asked. “Did you know from the start?”

“What do you think, Baroness?” Ryan said, replying to her question with one of his own.

Eleanor didn’t have the time to engage in a tête-à-tête with him, so she quickly got to her point. “You’re not supposed to be here,” she said emphatically. “You must go to the palace immediately.”

“I don’t know why I must,” came his infuriating reply.

“What do you mean?” she said with frustration. “What if people notice?!”

“Notice?” Ryan said, now looking confused.

“People have eyes. They can see us!” she hissed. “I’m out here, covered from head to toe like a nun in order to keep what happened between us a secret. I couldn’t even wear the design that I made popular!”

“Why can’t you wear it?”

“I needed to... to cover myself, because you...”

She blushed hotly again and wasn’t able to finish her sentence. Ryan stared at her until his brows finally rose up in understanding.

“Did I leave marks?” he asked.

“What else? Do you think I would have done that myself?” she said, now really starting to get angry.

Ryan, however, looked rather pleased. The conversation was decidedly going in circles, and Eleanor glared at Ryan while he gazed at her with a blissful expression.

“You need to leave immediately before they all notice something between us!”

At that, Ryan frowned.

“Are you... worried that people will learn about us?” he asked slowly.

“Of course,” she said. “But it’s not too late if you leave now.”

It wasn’t too late—she needed to do whatever she could to make him go to the princess’s celebration. If so, then all of this could be left in the past. However...

“I don’t care if others find out,” Ryan declared.

She stared at him. “But... But your reputation will suffer if you become entangled with me.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said, looking at her so levelly that she was at a loss for words. He seemed to be studying her reactions closely. “Are you... angry because you worry that others will find out? Does that displease you?”

Wasn’t it obvious?

Eleanor nodded, and his face stiffened.

“I see...”

Even the smile he’d worn this whole time vanished. He bit his lip and asked, rather uncomfortably this time,

“Then, perhaps... What I am about to say next will anger you even further...” Ryan, however, was the one who looked more mad in that moment. “But, since you are already upset...”

He paused, letting his words trail away. What was he about to say? She gazed at him nervously and saw his expression change to one of determination. He took a step closer to her.

“Although this may concern you, my lady...” He sounded bashful as he spoke, and his words rang in her ears. “...That night, I fell completely in love with you.”